30 March 2010

Remiss of me

Hadriana has given me two awards, the Sunshine Award and the Circle of Friendship award.. thank you




It is always nice to be appreciated, and I would like to pass these two awards on to you all, a little hard to name all and everyone so I am going to be cheeky and ask you to take it if you want it. All the linked blogs and the blogs I follow I treasure and it is too difficult to pick just some names out.



PS. Happy Birthday to me, to celebrate with the people that I love is more important than anything else I have at the moment :-) To everyone else, thank you for your kind wishes, and your continued visits.

29 March 2010

Sparking off - an unfortunate series of events

Part of my unofficial duties of where I am staying is to help with the animals, many of whom are surrounded by electric fencing; of a suitable low voltage.

Though when they touch it, the pigs they do squeal loudly - ear splitting in fact, but they only do it when they are about to be fed and are too eager to get to the food first.

Normally with the ponies I turn off the fence before hopping over to give them some hay and some nuts, but not on Friday night. Instead I did Merlin's and then Dillon.

This is where the fun started, or not if you were Dillon, I hoped over the fence and bless him, ever eager for his nuts he lunged forward to meet me and my hand touched his headcollar at which point he wheeled away fast and I was left with a finger throbbing where the electricity had surged through to the metal work on his headcollar.

Poor Dillon, he still hasn't forgiven me yet even though over the weekend well Saturday I was feeding him treats and scratching his rump to try and make it up to him.

Leanne's (Somerset Seasons) box of Dorset goodies arrived on Saturday, and I had a marvellous time going through the contents... can't wait to try the recipe for Dorset Apple Cake - Thank you for this... once I am settled into a more permanent location I will do a similar giveaway with Cornish goodies instead though sadly you might have to miss out on the clotted cream :-)

27 March 2010

Saturday Satire - Bonus for today - The Tourist

An American tourist in London decides to skip his tour group and explore on his own.
He wanders around, seeing the sights, and occasionly stopping at a quaint pub to soak up the local culture, chat with the lads, and have a pint of Guinness.
After a while, he finds himself in a very high class neighbourhood-big, stately residences-no pubs, no stores, no restaurants and worst of all....no public toilets.
He really, really had to go, after all that beer.
He finds a narrow side street, with high walls surrounding the adjacent buildings and decides to use the wall to solve his problem.
As he is unzipping, he is tapped on his shoulder by a London Bobby, who says,"I say, sir, you simply cannot do that here, you know."
"I'm very sorry, officer,"replies the American,"but I really, really HAVE TO GO, and I just can't find a public restroom."
"Ah yes,"said the Bobby,"Just follow me."He leads him to a back "delivery alley,"then along a wall to a gate, which he opens. "In there,"points the Bobby. "Whizz away.....anywhere you want."
The fellow enters and finds himself in the most beautiful garden he has ever seen.
Manicured grass lawns, statues, fountains, sculptured hedges, and huge beds of gorgeous flowers, all in perfect bloom.
Since he has the cop's blessing, he zips down and unburdens himself and is greatly relieved.
As he goes back through the gate, he says to the policeman,"That was really decent of you, is that "British Hospitality?"
"No," replies the Bobby, with a satisfied smile on his face,"That is the French Embassy."

Saturday Satire - The Assassin

This man wanted to get rid of his wife of 40 years so went and hired a Hit-man. He told him what he wanted him to do, paid the man's fee and then asked how he was going to do it.

The Hit-Man said. " I will use a high powered rifle and aim a shot just below her left breast.

The man replied. "That's no good I want her dead not just knee-capped."

25 March 2010

Quarter Day

Today is a Quarter Day, as well as being a christian festival (Annunciation of the Virgin Mary); traditionally rents were due on this day, and it was a day for servants to seek and find work for the coming year ahead.
Up until 1752 it was the beginning of the legal year in England, with the courts of justice sessions.

Perhaps it would have been good for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have delivered his budget today instead of yesterday, but commonsense doesn't seem to be part of their manifesto.

Today is the second day of my teaching sessions, building on what we did last week as well as setting up targets for the next week's session. Not sure if I will have 6 people or more at the class, will find out later on this morning. What it does mean is that I get a short lie in, another 30 minutes but it all will count.

24 March 2010

Today's Budget

Today is Budget day, and I am hoping that the government will give something back on stamp duty, the current values is that you pay 1% of the purchase price of a property over £125,000 up to £250,000.

We had a holiday up until January, but now it is back and the housing market is showing the signs with little or no movements. A glimmer of hope is there with hints that the Chancellor is considering scrapping it on homes worth less than £250,000 and putting a scale of stamp duty on the more expensive properties from 1-4%.

This has got to be good news, especially for me so I am keeping a keen ear out on the budget today.

23 March 2010

Thank you

Leanne over at Somerset Seasons, Dorset Days just celebrated her 1,500th post with a giveaway. I can't remember when I came across her blog, but it is full of wisdom, gardening advice, news on her chickens and crafts galore.. a talented lady and a pleasure to 'visit' so drop on by and say hello if you are passing.

I put in a comment on her blog, to congratulate her, and when she did the drawing of the names to win the prize of a goodie bag from Dorset my name came up. Thank you Leanne, this will be treasured.

Having been born in Dorset, it will be nice to have some memento's of my birthplace and it should arrive just in time for my birthday so a double celebration.

22 March 2010

Teaching Time

I had my first session teaching in Redruth last week, I have 6 learners all learning the basics of word processing, Using spreadsheets and other basic IT Skills. I was accompanied by another trainer last week, but this week and for the next 5 weeks I am on my own.

The aim is to get these learners to a point at the end of the course to a level where they go on to do the qualification at the end of the course and hopefully more potential employment opportunities because of it.

I love it, while it isn't what I had been doing, it is the area I enjoy best a mixture of passing on skills and coaching/supporting their efforts. The best thing is that I can use these teaching hours towards my teaching profile.

I haven't heard anything from my application to do the PGCert at Truro College, I still have an interview to face yet and still need more teaching opportunities but hopefully they will be forthcoming soon.

20 March 2010

Saturday Satire - Anno Domini

A group of 40 year old friends discussed where they should meet for dinner.

Finally it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waitresses there had low cut blouses, short skirts, and were all young and good-looking.

10 years later at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was very good and the wine selection was good also.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheel chair accessible and they even had an elevator.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.

17 March 2010

On this day

79 years ago, my Dad was born in the Back of Beyond. The eldest son, but not the eldest child. He sadly died 7 years ago last September and today is always a bittersweet day as I used to get a St Patricks Day card as a joke instead of a birthday card and then write in it ps Happy Birthday.

One year I took him out to a St Patricks Day dinner at a local pub and introduced him to the delights of Guiness, quickly followed by a long weekend in Dublin to try the real stuff. He was so impressed with it after the trip to Dublin that we arranged a 10 day touring holiday in Ireland starting off (and finishing) in Cork but included Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway (my favourite), Offaly (briefly), Tipperary and finally Waterford before we caught the ferry at Cork. We covered a little over 2000 miles and had a laugh and a joke with every stay at the b&b farmhouse we had chosen; One of my favourite memories was the tour of the Jameson's distillery and it is from the distillery reserve that I will raise my glass to my Dad tonight xx

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

16 March 2010

Deep in Thought

As I look back on the day, what were the most significant events?

It was finding that essential bit of paper that I needed to find.

In what ways was this day unique, different from other days?

I think the light at the end of the tunnel is not more work, but instead offers hope

Did I have any particularly meaningful conversations?

Yes one about work and the future, and the other about the future and togetherness

Did I do any reading?

Only a limited amount, but I hope to extend that

What were my reactions to it?

It is mainly for interest and to keep up my knowledge in that subject (e-learning)

How did I feel during the day?

Tired, but only because it seemed like a very long day before home-time

What were the emotional highs and lows?

The possibility of being able to do a course which would qualify me as a teacher, and to be provided with the opportunity of teaching work.

The end of a long day, and feeling sometimes a little like an outsider in a close family.

Why did I feel as I did?

Sometimes it is my pigheadedness, about not wanting to cause an argument, so I bite my tongue.. still it is not going to be forever and today is another day.

Did I find myself worrying about anything today?

Yes, until I found that bit of paper that told me all the drains and plumbing at the house of the Back of Beyond is covered by insurance I was concerned as I need to get someone to look at why the drain in the back is full.

What were the chief joys of the day?

Sending out a whole batch of certificates to candidates who will be overjoyed to receive them.

What did I accomplish?

Quite a lot, see above.

Did I fail at anything?

Yes, communications

What did I learn today?

I can do things when I set my mind and my heart to do them, but a little support goes to make it a lot easier.

When did I feel most alive?

When I was feeding the pigs, I have an affinity for them especially the brood sow, and I will miss them when we finally have our own place.

13 March 2010

Saturday Satire - A Fire in East London

In a run-down part of East London recently, a fire destroyed a dilapidated four storey house that had been divided into four flats. A Nigerian family of six internet con artists and full time benefit cheats lived on the first floor, and all six tragically perished in the fire.

A group of seven Islamic welfare cheats, all illegally in the country, lived on the second floor, and they too, all perished in the fire. Six Albanian, gang banger, ex-cons - all claiming political asylum and living off the state for free - occupied the 3rd floor and they too, died. And one middle aged British white couple lived on the top floor. They miraculously survived the fire.

The Equal Opportunities Commission, Amnesty International, Human Rights activists, black community leaders and the British Islamic Council were all furious at the apparent racial inequality of the situation. Why were just the British white couple saved?

It was monstrous they claimed, and showed that systemic 'racism' still existed in all areas of public service - questions were raised in the House of Commons, the popular media picked up the story and within hours it was national and indeed international news. The Mayor of London , when questioned stated calmly that it would be unwise to jump to conclusions until the Police and Fire Service had completed their report. He closed by stating that he expected their initial assessment would be available within the next 36 hours - so perhaps it would be best to let the experts gather the evidence and report back before he commented any further.

The baying Press pack subsequently reported the interview in such way as to intimate that the Mayor was indifferent to suffering and was out of touch with the feelings of the whole East London community!

A large motorcade of representatives from all five groups, together with the Home Secretary drove to the area and demanded a meeting with the local fire officer. They made sure that a large pack of popular Press and TV had been briefed on the visit and so the motorcade was met by a huge gaggle of journalists, TV interviewers and cameras. On camera, they loudly demanded to know why the Africans, Black Muslims and Albanians all died in the fire and only the white couple lived.

The fire officer quietly replied:-
"Apparently they were at work."

This is humour, not serious and could be applied to a number of labels, whether it is scousers, English v welsh v scottish v irish etc... but I liked the fact that everyone jumps into demand answers when not all the facts were known...

enjoy

12 March 2010

Chipmunks

Are dear little critters, and look amazingly sweet with their pouches stuffed with goodies to eat later.

I feel very much like one, having been struck down with tonsilitis in the past few days, am now eating paracetomol like it is going out of fashion and the penicillin should be working soon but in the mean time my face and neck is all swollen; hence my comments about feeling like a chipmunk.

Have a good weekend all, catch you soon

10 March 2010

Nearly 1/3 Gone

I know I have posted comments on how quickly time is passing, or rather my perception of it, but it really does seem to be passing quickly these days; almost too quickly.

I have been in Cornwall, or rather home, since 18th December. Almost 3 months has passed and a little less than 5 months remain on my work contract, having said that I had a meeting with my line manager yesterday who gave me a positive recommendation and subject to funding would like to hang on to me.

I am pleased in one way as it is regular employment and the travel is just about the right distance. It takes me a little over 25 mins to get to work, and the journey is taken with listening to Pirate FM on the way in since Chris Evans took over the breakfast show I find I cannot listen to it any longer. I enjoyed last week when Richard Allinson was on, it was pleasantly relaxing and made the start of the day enjoyable for a change; I wish, like many other listeners that Radio 2 would ask him to do it full time rather than the manic Evans.

I also have an interview coming up next month for Kernowflex, as bank staff for Admin type jobs, which might be useful to be involved with. Basically you get considered for any short-term vacancies/holiday cover and from what I have heard they have more work than people to cover.

09 March 2010

Something funny is going on

I noticed about 3 weeks ago, the number of visitors increased from an average of 20-30 per day to somewhere close to 100 per day.

I have no idea of why, but to those people dropping by for the very first time, welcome and enjoy what you find. To all of those who come back time and time again, thank you very much especially when you leave me such nice comments.

The weekend saw me take a trip up country to the Back of Beyond, time for more packing and decisions on what to keep. I hope soon to be able to give you news of a more permanent move but at the moment it is all still very tentative.

Travelling back yesterday, though cold was welcome because it was dry, blue skies and sunshine wall to wall. To celebrate our return to the Edge of the World, involved the local chinese takeaway who do a stunning sweet and sour hong kong style with all different meats.. it is lovely and fast becoming a favourite of mine.

06 March 2010

Saturday Satire - Gorilla Removers

A man wakes up one morning to find a gorilla on his roof.

So he looks in Yellow Pages and sure enough, there's an ad for a firm of gorilla removers.
He calls the number and the gorilla remover says he'll be over in ten minutes.

True to his word, he arrives a while later, with a ladder, a baseball bat, a shotgun and a pit bull.

"What are you going to do?" the man asks.

"I'm going to put this ladder up against the roof," replies the gorilla remover.

"Then I'm going to go up there and knock the gorilla off the roof with this baseball bat.

When the gorilla falls off, the pit bull’s trained to grab his testicles and not let go. We can then put the gorilla in the truck."

So the guy puts up the ladder. Then he hands the shotgun to the home owner.

"What's that for?" he asks.

"Well," says the gorilla remover, "if the gorilla knocks me off the roof, shoot the dog!"

05 March 2010

Lowen dydh sen Pyran

Happy St Piran's Day to you all... just a little bit of information on what it means...

Piran, who originated from Ireland was cast to sea tied to a millstone on the order of the Irish King who was suspicious of Piran's miraculous powers. Although the sea was treacherous Piran survived, the stormy seas calming as he floated on the millstone until he reached the shores of Cornwall.

Many Cornish names now echo Piran's, for example ‘Perranporth', ‘Perranzabuloe' and ‘Perranarworthal'. It was at Perranporth beach, however, where Piran was said to have landed, and where he began to build an oratory to promote Christianity. The oratory is now preserved in the towans (sand dunes) at Perran Sands. His first disciples were said to be a badger, a fox and a bear!

Piran is perhaps most famous for his accidental discovery of tin, when a blackstone on his fireplace got so hot that a white liquid leaked out; the first tin smelting. It was this discovery that earned Piran the title Patron Saint of ‘Tinners', tin mining historically being a fundamentally important industry in Cornwall.

It was this discovery that also formed the basis of the Cornish flag, the white hot tin on the black of the ore. The Cornish flag is now used universally as a symbol of Cornish identity, from stickers on cars through to corporate organisations using the flag to identify 'Cornishness' to a global audience.

According to legend St Piran was fond of a tipple or two, and the phrase ‘drunk as a Perraner' has become common place amongst the Cornish to describe those who share his fondness for alcohol! Despite these tipples, he is rumored to have lived to the age of 206!

St Piran's day celebrations have continued to grow in popularity, with the annual St Piran Play on Perran Sands a highlight, hundreds of people making a pilgrimage to the site of the oratory itself, now buried in sand for preservation.

I won't be here this evening to see the celebrations as this weekend is a long weekend and trip back to see the old house once more and to continue the work of selling it.

04 March 2010

I'm in Lust

With this

How could you not lust after such a beautiful piece of work. My mouth salivates at the thought of owning it, and running my fingers over the bodywork.

My imagination is running wild at the thought of the creations I could turn out...

How could something so simple be so lustful :0)

02 March 2010

Biking

SOH and I went out on Saturday morning to collect a bike, not of the powered variety, but a push bike... someone from work had a new one and was selling her 21 speed mountain bike (a schwinn frontier) in purple and white for the grand sum of £30.

As Marie was the same height as me, I knew it would fit, so we drove to Penryn to collect it in the estate car and brought it home. Had a quick ride on it on Sunday morning after I had done the washing at the launderette, and although I was on boggy ground it felt very comfortable. Certainly having suspension on the front forks is going to mean less compression through my wrists and will help my fitness routine.

Can' t wait to do a bit more on the portreath to devoran bike trail..

01 March 2010

Tre Agan

Have been looking once more at properties in the surrounding area, in the every optimistic point of view that a house down here is possible when the one at the back of beyond is sold.

There are many nice places, and even some cheap ones, but it seems that the cheap ones are not always nice and the nice ones are usually not cheap :-).

However, there are some bargains to be had, and ones with a lovely viewpoint. So the waiting game goes on.

Work, I can't believe I have been here two months already... have settled in and the rest of the workforce are nice, none of the atmosphere and tensions at the University of the Back of Beyond and I cannot say truthfully I miss being there.

I am looking to do some extra training while I am here, in the hope that when the contract runs out in a few months time I can either find something else just as quick or that the contract will be extended. Either way I don' think I will be leaving the Edge of the World for a while yet.